William d



(No Model.)

. W. D ROBINSON.

POTATO BIGGER.

' No. 245,868. Patented Aug/16,1881.

\H ll Ill A WA? W7Zj UNITED STATES PATENT @FFIGE.

WILLIAM D. ROBINSON, OF AVOOA, NEW YORK.

POTATO-DIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,868, dated August16, 1881.

Application filed May 19, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. ROBINSON, ofAvoca, Steuben county, New York, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Potato-Diggers; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings, in which Figurel is a sideelevation of a potato-digger, showing my improvement. Fig. 2 is a planof the same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a view of one of thechains which drag in the rear of the plow. Figs. 5 and 6 aremodifications.

My improvement relates to potato-diggers mounted on wheels connectedwith springs which support the beam and handles; and the inventionconsists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter morefully described.

In the drawings, A is the beam, which resembles a plow-beam, except thatit is of such length that it extends forward and connects directly withthe neck-yoke of the horses, by which means the implement is properlyguided and a fulcrum or resistance is obtained for operating andcontrolling the handles.

B B are the handles, which also resemble plow-handles, and O is astandard projecting down from the under side of the beam, and havingupon its lower end a point, a, which may be either single or doublewinged, which passes through the rows and throws out the potatoes.

D D are two cross-bars, bolted securely on the under side of the beamsat suitable distance apart.

E E are half-elliptic springs at opposite ends of the cross-bars, andconnected with clips at the ends of the cross-bars, so that the springshave a free movement. The springs curve downward, as shown.

F is a curved axle for striding the rows, being bolted at its outer endsto short journals 1) 1), upon which are supporting-wheels G G, which runupon the ground between the rows. The center of thesprings rests uponthe ends of the curvedaxle by means of intermediate blocks, 00, and areclipped or bolted thereto.

By the means above described an elastic connection is interposed betweenthe supporting-wheels and the beam, which, while itsupports the beam andplow, is made to yield both (No model.)

upward and downward by suitable pressure on the handles, so that theplow may be made to follow at a uniform depthin the row, what ever maybe the undulations or irregularities of the ground, and the work isaccomplished with great ease to the operator. The end of the beamresting in the ring of the neck-yoke forms the fulcrum or resistancenecessary in operating the handles, as before described. The location ofthe springs on opposite sides and at some distance apart gives stilfnessand form to the upper parts.

Instead of the elliptic springs shown, torsion, spiral, rubber, or othersuitable springs may be employed.

By the use of the springs and wheels it is not necessary to tilt or turnthe plow sidewise, as in other devices where the plow is used.

By the use of the wheels the operator, pressing sidewise, can make theplow follow the undulations of the rows without difficulty.

P is a lever pivoted to the beam, to the lower end of which the centerof the curved axle is attached by a chain, 1'. This lever extends abovethe plow handles within convenient reach of the opera-tor. A ratchet-baror other device, r, may be used in connection with the lever to hold itat any position. By this means the plow may be gaged to cut deeper, orit may be raised to run clear of the ground.

L L are a series of chains attached to the rear of the plow, and servingto throw out the potatoes and clear the vines of dirt. Four of thesechains are preferably used, and each chain consists of links formed inthe shape of the figure 8, one half of each link being vertical and theother half horizontal. Figs. 5 and 6 show one form of torsion-springs.

Having thus described my invention, 1 clairn- In a potato-digger, thecombination of the beam A, cross-bars D D, springs E E, curved axle F,supporting-wheels G G, and the lever I, connected with the axle by chain t, as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WVILLIAM D. ROBINSON.

Witnesses:

H. V. PETERS, J. V. ROBINSON.

